The Ohio Attorney General has issued a statement about admitted child molester Bill McKell.
“The allegations – and apparent confession – of sexual abuse surrounding a former Boy Scout leader in Chillicothe deserve swift, severe punishment,” said Attorney General Dave Yost.
“Because of the statute of limitations, that may not happen under current law. That is precisely why I, along with several former attorneys general, have called for the statute of limitations for rape to be eliminated. Victims deserve the chance to face their abusers in the court of law.”
On Sunday, McKell, 60, a former Boy Scout leader, pastor, teacher, and millionaire CEO admitted to child molestation allegations after years of speculation.
On Friday, the Guardian was the first to tell you that McKell was named in a police report for having abused a reported 18 boys in Ross County during the 80’s and 90’s. McKell said on Sunday the backlash from the article and social media caused him to confess. It’s unknown if other victims exist and have not come forward.
In 1996, the scouts defrocked McKell after allegations of abuse surfaced, but no police action was taken.
Because of state law, McKell is likely not to face state charges. However, the federal government might step in and prosecute under federal law.
Ross County Prosecutor Jeff Marks said that his office has not discussed statute of limitations with local police with respect to this case.
“Publicly, I will say that I have never had a conversation with the police regarding the statute of limitations on any potential charges against Bill McKell,” said Marks. “I understand that there is a police report circulating around the public which indicates that a copy of the report of that ongoing investigation has been submitted to my office. I will not comment on any criminal investigative reports submitted to my office by law enforcement until such time as they have been reviewed and charges have been filed, should those charges be warranted.”
On Sunday, McKell penned an open letter on social media admitting to the allegations and pleading for forgiveness. He was fired from his job as CEO or Horizon Telecoms on Thursday.